USE OF PROSTAGLANDIN (PGF2α) TO INDUCE OESTRUS IN POSTPARTUM SAHIWAL COWS

Twenty-four postpartum Sahiwal cows that did not show oestrus upto 85 days postpartum were randomly divided into two equal groups, A and B. Group A cows were injected 2 ml Prostavet injection containing 5 mg Etiproston, a synthetic analogue of PGF2α (Virbac, France) intramuscularly at day 85 postpartum on chronological basis of calving dates without palpation. A second injection was given 11 days later to those cows that did not respond to first injection. A third injection was given at 118 days postpartum to those cows that had not responded to 1st and 2nd injection of PGF2α and did not show oestrus. The cows in group B were not given any treatment and served as control. The cows found in oestrus were artificially inseminated 12 hours after the detection of oestrus. The cumulative oestrus response was higher (66.66%) in group A than in group B (25%). Similarly, in group A the behavioral symptoms and physical changes were more pronounced as compared to group B. Mean (± SE) interval from treatment to onset of oestrus in group A was 96 ± 15.08 hours whereas, mean interval to oestrus from beginning of experiment was 25.0 ± 1.0 days in group B. Statistically non significant difference was observed in the mean duration of oestrus (23.25 ± 1.99 vs. 20.33 ± 1.45 hours) between animals of the two groups. However, a significant (P<0.05) difference was observed for the mean calving to first oestrus interval (89 ± 0.62 vs. 110 ± 0.19 days) in groups A and B. From the results, it is concluded that PGF2α is useful for treatment of unobserved oestrus in postpartum Sahiwal cows

Luxury brands on Instagram: A netnographic approach

The present research concerns a netnography study from June 1st 2020 to January 1st 2021on Instagram communication of six luxury brands: Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Dior, Chanel and Burberry. Five variables were taken into consideration: number of followers, number of posts, average comments, average likes and engagement rate. This qualitative study reflects the impact of digital transformation on the luxury market. Overall, results demonstrate luxury brands similarities in their Instagram communication strategy - Louis Vuitton and Gucci; Dior and Chanel; Prada and Burberry. With our findings, we were able to associate these luxury brands with the core dimensions of brand coolness. Implications of these findings are discussed with future research directions suggested.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Do memes impact brand coolness perceptions? Examining hedonic versus utilitarian products

Digital platforms are one of the best tools to connect consumers worldwide (Nieubuur, 2021). Specifically, in the first quarter of 2021, Facebook alone had an active user base of 2.91 billion users, YouTube had 2.29 billion active users, while Instagram had 1.39 billion active users (Statista, 2021). Following Chuah et al. (2020), content is key in the digital environment. With such high numbers of online users, and the need for keeping them interested, memes became a frequently used content to interact with consumers. Internet Memes (IMs) usually take the form of animations, GIFs, videos, images, and image macros. As IMs are flexible, and able to relate to many expressions (e.g., humour, advice, irony, sarcasm), brands can easily integrate IMs in their strategy. Besides establishing a connection between brands and consumers worldwide, social media also allows users to check the latest trends, and most importantly, what is cool nowadays. Coolness reflects consumers’ perceptions of a brand or product’s quality, distinctiveness, or novelty (Sundar et al., 2014). Thus, being a cool brand and having cool content is becoming increasingly important to managers and practitioners. IMs are easy to understand, fun, “shareable” and can have a positive impact on consumer behaviour (Nieubuur, 2021). Brand Coolness (BC) also shows to have a positive impact on the consumer decision-making process (Warren et al., 2019). However, there is a gap in the literature concerning the relationship between IMs and BC perceptions. Although there is a variety of studies concerning BC effects on consumer decision making, to our knowledge, there is no literature establishing a connection between IMs and BC. Thus, the present study aims to understand if IMs influence consumers’ BC perceptions, in the context of hedonic versus utilitarian personal beauty items. A survey was conducted, to assess the impact of utilitarian (Colgate) and hedonic (Dior) brands through IMs. A multiple linear regression was performed to predict brand coolness perceptions on hedonic versus utilitarian brands, with and without the meme. Our findings suggest that, when not using a meme, the utilitarian brand (Colgate), is associated with the energetic and authentic characteristics. On another hand, when the brand uses the meme, the brand coolness perceptions are explained by the useful/extraordinary and original dimensions. As for the hedonic brand, when not using the IM, the brand (Dior) is associated with energetic, authentic, and iconic brand coolness dimensions. However, when using the IM, the hedonic brand is associated with useful/extraordinary, energetic, popular, and subcultural dimensions. Our results are in accordance with the brand coolness and internet memes’ literature: (1) brands do not need to be associated with the ten coolness characteristics, since the perception of BC differs from brand to brand, and across consumers (Warren et al., 2019); (2) IMs have specific characteristics (such as iconicity, humour, popularity, (Chuah et al., 2020), it was expected that introducing them would change consumers perceptions. We also acknowledge the importance of the results to academics and practitioners. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to analyse specific dimensions of brand coolness in the context of hedonic versus utilitarian products as reflected by IMs, contributing to the marketing and branding literature. As for managers, brands can use digital marketing channels to enhance popularity through IMs. As IMs can take many forms and is easily adapted, the tool is a cool way of advertising our products. Plus, it is easy to share between consumers, which increases chances of becoming viral through social media.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Consumo de moda de lujo: revision, síntesis y agenda de investigacion

Purpose This paper aims to review the topic of “luxury fashion consumption”, a field of recent interest for academics and practitioners. However, a literature review that can map the existing knowledge and aggregate it into relevant topics and offers a research agenda for future research is still lacking. Methodology This paper uses a systematic review and a text mining approach to analyse 73 articles on luxury fashion consumption aiming to clarify, rationalise and critically interpret the literature on luxury fashion consumption; identify the core topic, create an integrative framework of core constructs; and offer research gaps and suggest a research agenda for future studies. Findings From this analysis, eight major research topics are found and analysed (brand desire, authenticity, luxury markets, value perceptions, luxury retail experience, luxury brands communication, responsible consumption and sustainability and status signalling). Based on these topics and following the TCM framework, this review offers directions for future research. Value This research offers a text-mining review of luxury fashion consumption to help scholars and managers further develop this field, as there is no comprehensive review on the topic exploring the themes, theories, constructs and methods used in prior studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determination of insecticides malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin residues in zucchini by gas chromatography

AbstractA sensitive gas chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin (λ-cyhalothrin) insecticide residues in zucchini. The developed method consists of extraction with acetone, purification and partitioning with methylene chloride, column chromatographic clean-up, and finally capillary gas chromatographic determination of the insecticides. The recoveries of method were greater than 90% and limit of determination was 0.001ppm for both insecticides. The method was applied to determine residues and the rate of disappearance of malathion and λ-cyhalothrin from fruits of zucchini (open field treatment, 50cc of Malason/Cormandel 57% EC (emulsifiable concentrate) for 100L of water, 20cc of LAMBDA SUPER FOG 5% liquid for 100L of water). The insecticide incorporated into the plants decreased rapidly with a half-life time around 0.77day (18.5h) for malathion and 4days for λ-cyhalothrin. It is not recommended to use zucchini before 12h of malathion application. For λ-cyhalothrin, the preharvest interval is 5days. Four market samples were chosen from different regions from A.R.E. and all of them showed no residues of malathion or λ-cyhalothrin

Picropodophyllin causes mitotic arrest and catastrophe by depolymerizing microtubules via Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor-independent mechanism

Picropodophyllin (PPP) is an anticancer drug undergoing clinical development in NSCLC. PPP has been shown to suppress IGF-1R signaling and to induce a G2/M cell cycle phase arrest but the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The present study identified an IGF-1-independent mechanism of PPP leading to pro-metaphase arrest. The mitotic block was induced in human cancer cell lines and in an A549 xenograft mouse but did not occur in normal hepatocytes/mouse tissues. Cell cycle arrest by PPP occurred in vitro and in vivo accompanied by prominent CDK1 activation, and was IGF-1R-independent since it occurred also in IGF-1R-depleted and null cells. The tumor cells were not arrested in G2/M but in mitosis. Centrosome separation was prevented during mitotic entry, resulting in a monopolar mitotic spindle with subsequent prometaphase-arrest, independent of Plk1/Aurora A or Eg5, and leading to cell features of mitotic catastrophe. PPP also increased soluble tubulin and decreased spindle-associated tubulin within minutes, indicating that it interfered with microtubule dynamics. These results provide a novel IGF-1R-independent mechanism of antitumor effects of PPP

Clinical outcomes after reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients 60 years old and younger; Medium-term results

BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has been well-described as a surgical solution to manage rotator cuff tear arthropathy in elderly, low demand paitents. As experience has increased along with improvements in technique and implant design, RTSA has become increasingly used to manage more varied pathologic conditions of the shoulder in younger, more active patients. This study evaluates outcomes in a consecutive series of patients aged 60 years old and younger after undergoing RTSA. METHODS: There were 94 shoulders in 89 patients enrolled. Mean age of the cohort was 54.8 (range 18-60 years). Surgical indications included rotator cuff tear arthropathy, irreparable rotator cuff tear without arthritis, glenohumeral arthritis with erosive glenoid deformity, inflammatory arthropathy, proximal humerus fracture nonunion/malunion and failed prior shoulder arthroplasty. Sixty-one shoulders (70%) had undergone at least one prior surgery. Of these, 6 shoulders (6% of total cohort) had a prior failed arthroplasty. Clinical outcomes (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index; visual analog scale pain), radiographic outcomes and complications were analyzed and assessed for correlation with patient demographic factors. RESULTS: The mean follow-up for this cohort was 4.9 years (range 2-12 years). Subjects experienced improvements in ASES score and pain ( CONCLUSION: With medium-term follow-up, RTSA is a reliable and predictable operation to manage various pathologic conditions in patients aged 60 years or less. Patients predictably experience significant improvements in pain and range of motion while assuming a modest complication risk. Long-term study is needed to understand potential for late complications or implant failure

The unexpected presence of a huge cystic hygroma with thanatophoric dysplasia type I: a case report

Introduction: The presence of a thin-walled, multicystic structure posterior to the fetal head and neck with an intact vertebral column is known as a cystic hygroma. Thanatophoric dysplasia is the most lethal skeletal dysplasia. Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is an autosomal dominant disorder with two phenotypes. TD type I is characterized by a normal shaped skull with bowed femurs and micromelia, while TD type II is characterized by straight femurs with a clover-leaf deformity of the skull and micromelia. We report here a case of thanatophoric dysplasia type I associated with cystic hygroma, this association needs further evaluation. Case history: A 30 year old woman was referred at 26 weeks of gestation because of marked polyhydramnios. Ultrasonographic examination of the fetus revealed a narrow chest, protuberant abdomen, short curved femur, normal shaped skull with accidentally cystic hygroma were present. No other anomalies were detected. We explained to the patient the nature and severity of the anomaly and the patient preferred the termination of pregnancy. Induction of abortion was done successfully. Conclusion: This case report has highlighted the association between cystic hygroma and thanatophoric dysplasia type I. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature reporting the association of cystic hygroma and thanatophoric dysplasia type I. We believe that this case is useful for obstetricians and pediatricians. We also highly recommend the genetic evaluation of the fetus and parents

Novel Sequence Variants in the NPC1 Gene in Egyptian Patients with Niemann-Pick Type C

BACKGROUND: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare, autosomal recessive, progressive neuro-visceraldisease caused by biallelic mutations in either NPC1gene (95% of cases) or NPC2 gene. AIM: This caseseries study aimed at the molecular analysis of certain hot spots of NPC1 genein NPC Egyptian patients. METHODS: The study included 15 unrelated NPC patients and selected parents,as well as20 healthy controls of matched sex and age. Clinical investigations were performed according to well established clinical criteria. Assessment of the chitotriosidase level, as an initial screening tool for NPC, was done in all cases. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of NPC1 exons (17–25) encountering the hotspot residues (855–1098 and1038–1253) was carried out followed by direct sequencingfor mutational analysis. RESULTS: All includedpatients with mainly neurovisceral involvement were characterized. The onset of the disease varied from early-infantile (58.3%) to late-infantile (26.7%) and juvenile-onset (6.7%). Ahigh chitotriosidase level wasobservedin all patients. Molecular analysis of NPC1 (exons 17–25) confirmed 15 mutant alleles out of 30 studied ones. They included two novel homozygous missense variants (p.Ser1169Arg and p.Ser1197Phe) and previously reportedfour mutations (p.Arg958*, p.Gly910Ser, p.Ala927Glyfs*38, and andp.Cys1011*). CONCLUSION: The two studied amino acid residues (855–1098 and 1038–1253) could beconsidered aspotential hotspot regions in NPC1 Egyptian patients